The Kimball won’t put Live PC Give PC funds toward expansion

The Kimball Art Center is among the not-for-profit organizations that will take part in the Live PC Give PC fundraising day on Friday.

The Kimball Art Center stands as one of the Park City area’s best known nonprofit arts organizations, and it offers classes and exhibits at its location at the corner of Main Street and Heber Avenue. It is also the organizer of the Park City Kimball Arts Festival each summer, which is one of the top events on Park City’s calendar.

The organization in recent months unveiled an idea for an ambitious expansion designed by a renowned architect. The proposal, though, became controversial as some people who live in Old Town and the historic preservation community decried the design as out of place along Main Street.

Matt Mullin, the chairman of the board of directors of the Kimball Art Center, said the money raised during Live PC Give PC will not be put toward the expansion. He said the fundraising for the expansion has not begun in earnest yet.

He said the Live PC Give PC event offers a chance for the Kimball Art Center to raise money for its operations, including classes, exhibits and events. The money will assist with the art center’s ability to offer free admission.

"It’s huge for us. It’s just a huge new way of giving, new way of collecting donations," Mullin said.

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The Kimball Art Center in 2011 participated in the inaugural Live PC Give PC, receiving $5,600 in donations, according to Mullin. This year, he said, the board of directors agreed to match the Live PC Give PC donations up to $10,000. He said the Kimball Art Center wants to bring in $20,000 this year between the community donations and the matching funds from the board of directors.

Mullin said the Kimball Art Center will bring plein air painters to Fresh Market in conjunction with Live PC Give PC. The art center will offer studio tours on Friday to mark the day. The Park City Coffee Roaster location at the Kimball Art Center will provide a free cup of coffee to anyone who donates to the art center that day.

In 2011, Live PC Give PC brought in more than $330,000 during 24 hours of fundraising, according to the organizers. Fifty-five not-for-profit organizations benefited. The organizers hope to raise $500,000 in 2012. There were 1,500 donors in 2011 and Live PC Give PC hopes to increase the number to 2,500 this year.